Sewing needles with eyes that are capable of being readily threaded



Oct. 18, 1955 ALLEN 2,721,014

G. W. SEWING NEEDLES WITH EYES THAT ARE CAPABLE OF BEING READILY THREADED Filed April 5, 1952 Gear 2 lMuW/erz/ 4 7M ,5. 62%? United States Patent Ofifice 2,721,014 Patented Oct. 18, 1955 SEWING NEEDLES WITH EYES THAT ARE CAPA- BLE 01F BEING READILY THREADED George W. Allen, Chicago, Ill. Application April 5, 1952, Serial No. 280,828

2 Claims. (CL 223-102) cross memben'an outer cross member and a pair of laterally spaced, substantially straight side members between the ends of the cross members.

As evidenced by United States Letters Patent No. 31,153, dated January '22, 1861, it has heretofore been proposed to facilitate threading of a needle of the aforementioned type by forming in one of the'side members of theeye -a narrowcut which extends completely through the one side memben'is located midway between the two cross members, divides the one side member into equal lengthouter and inner sections and is so obliquely .positioned that the outer section has an angled outwardly facing free end surface andthe inner section has an angled inwardly facing free end surface. When it is desired to thread a needle having-an oblique cut of the character heretofore mentioned the piece of thread to be threaded through the eye of the needle is first looped around the outer side portion of the outer section of the one side member of the eye and is then pulled in the direction of the'other side member. In connection with such pulling of'the piece of thread the outer section flexes inwards and serves'to guide the looped portion of the piece of thread into the eye interior, thus eliminating the necessity of threading the eye inthe common or conventional manner. In practice it has been found that a needle having an oblique cut in the central portion in one of the side members of its eye, although capable of being threaded with facility, is subject to-the objection that if the piece of thread, after-being threaded through the eye as heretofore mentioned, is pulled laterally against the inner section in a direction away from the other side member it flexes the inner section outwards and hence is guided by the inner section out of theeye.

The principal object of this invention is'to provide a sewing needle which is an-improvement upon, and eliminates the objection to, previously designed needles including that of said Letters Patent No. 31,153and is characterized by the fact that the outer and inner sections of the obliquely cut side member of the eye are'so arranged and constructed that it is possible readily to insert a piece of thread into the eye by looping the piece around the outer section and pulling it in the direction of the other eye side member but is impossible to remove the thread from the eye by pulling it laterally or sidewise against the inner section of the one side member. In general the improved needle contemplates the formation of the oblique cut in the one side member of the eye at a point immediately adjacent the inner cross member to the end that the outer section of the one side member is long and inherently laterally flexible and the inner section of'the one side member is short and inherently rigid. By having the inner section of the obliquely cut sidemember of the eye short and rigid it is incapable of flexing outwards and permitting lateral removal past it of the portion of .the piece of thread in-the eye interior and the angled inwardly facingfree end surface of the'innersection coacts'with the angled outwardly facing freeend surface ofthe .outer sectionlpositively to limit-outward'fiexing of the longsection past its normal position wherein it is in alignment' with the short section.

A further object of the invention .is to 'provideasewing needle which is generally of new and improved construction, effectively and efficiently fulfills its-intendedpurpose and is capable not only of being quickly and :readily threaded, but also of being manufactured'or produced ata portion of the needleof-Figures l and 2'showing apiece of thread after it has been looped-around'the outer;portion of the long outer section of the obliquely-cut side-member of the eye but before pulling thereof in 'the direction-of the other side member of the eye;

Figure 4 is an enlarged view like Figure 3except that it-shows the looped pieceof thread .afte'r itihas beenso pulled in the direction of the other side me'mberthat the long outer section of the-obliquelyicut sidemember=of=the eye is caused to flex inwards and guide the looped portion of the piece of thread into the :inner end'of the interior of the eye;

Figure 5 is a side view of a sewing needle embodying another form or embodiment of the invention;

Figure 6 is an enlarged side view of the upper=or=eye equipped end portion of the needle 'of Figure 5;

Figures 7 and 8 are transverse sections taken,'respectively, on the lines 77 and 8-8 of Figure:6; and

Figure 9 is an enlarged transverse section taken on the line 9-9 of Figure 5.

The needle which is shown in Figures :1 to '4, inclusive constitutes one form or embodiment of theinvention. -It is adapted when threaded with a piece of'thread -T to the used for sewing and is formed of steelorany othersuitable material having the same properties as steel. As'its components or parts the needle of Figures l'to '4, inclusive, comprises a shank 10 anda symmetrical eye 11.

The shank 10 is preferably of circular cross .section from one end thereof to the other and has one end thereof pointed in order that it may be inserted into penetrating relation with the article or object to be sewn in connection with use of the needle.

The eye 11 is formed integrally with the other -end-of the shank 1G and is adapted to have thepieceofthread T extend through it. It is of one-piece construction-or design and comprises an inner cross member 12,1an outer cross member 13 in spaced'relation with the inner cross member 12, and a pair of elongated laterallyrspaced sub stantially straight side members 14 and 15 between -the ends of the inner and outer cross members. Because of the elongated character of the side members the eyeIl is elongated in a direction lengthwise of the shank 1'0.

eye 11, i. e., the member 15, is the same in width and thickness as the side member 14 and embodies at a point immediately adjacent the inner cross member 12 a narrow straight oblique cut 16. The latter divides the side member into a long outer section 17 and a short inner section 18 and is so angled or positioned that the long outer section 17 has an angled outwardly facing flat free end surface 19 and the short inner section 18 has an angled inwardly facing fiat free end surface 20. The inner cross member'12, the outer cross member 13 and the side member 14 are rigid. The long outer section 17 of the -side member 15 is of such length that it is inherently capable of ready lateral flexing and is adapted When the piece of thread is loopedaround its outer portion, as shown in Figure 3, and then pulled in the direction of the side member 14, as shown in Figure 4, to flex inwards and guide the looped portion of the piece of thread into the inner end of the interior of the eye. section 18 of the side member 15 is so short that it is inherently rigid and hence it is wholly incapable of flexing outwards and permitting lateral removal past it of the looped portion of the piece of thread while the latter is in the interior of the eye. The long outer section 17 of the side member 15 of the eye is normally positioned in longitudinal alignment with the short inner section 18. Because the short inner section 13 is inherently rigid or non-flexible its angled inwardly facing free end surface coacts with the angled outwardly facing free end surface 19 of the long outer section 17 positively to limit outward flexing of the long outer section past its normal position. As shown in Figures 3 and 4 the narrow cut 16 extends at approximately an angle of 60 with respect to the inner cross member 12. Also, as shown in such Figures, the cut 16 is located in such close proximity to the inner cross member 12 that the mean length of the long section is approximately four times the mean length of the short section 18. In practice it has been found that if the mean length of the long outer section is no less than three times the mean length of the short inner section desirable results will be obtained because then the short inner section is so short that it is truly rigid or non-flexible and will not permit the outer long section to be flexed outwards of its normal position wherein it is in alignment with the short inner section. If desired the outer cross member 13 of the eye 11 may be provided with transversely extending side grooves 21 in order to accommodate the piece of thread T after the piece has been threaded through the eye and assumes its normal sewing position.

When it is desired to thread the needle of Figures 1 to 4, inclusive, the piece of thread T is first looped around the outer portion of the long outer section 17 of the side member 15 and is then pulled in the direction of the side member 14, as heretofore mentioned. In connection with pulling of the piece of thread the long outer section 17 flexes inwards into an inclined position, as shown in full lines in Figure 4, and guides the looped portion of the thread into the inner end of the interior of the eye. As soon as the looped portion of the thread slides out of engagement with the free end of the long outer section 17 such section flexes outwards with a spring action into its normal position. In connection with outward flexing of the long outer section 17 the angled inwardly facing free end surface of the short inner section 18 forms a stop which is engaged by the angled outwardly facing free end surface 19 of the long outer section 17 and coacts therewith to prevent outward flexing of the long outer section past its normal position.

The needle of Figures 1 to 4, inclusive, is essentially simple in design or construction and hence may be manufactured or produced at a low cost. Due to the fact that the narrow oblique cut 16 is positioned immediately The inner short adjacent the inner cross member 12 it is possible readily to thread the piece into the eye of the needle by looping the piece around the. long outer section 17 but it is impossible, due to the inherent rigidity of the short inner section 17, to remove the piece of thread from the interior of the eye of the needle by pulling it laterally while in engagement with the short inner section 18. Since the end surface 21 of the short inner section 18 coacts with the free end surface 19 of the long outer section 17 to prevent outward flexure of the long outer section past its normal position lateral pulling of the thread While looped around the'long outer section will not result in removal of the thread from the eye. Removal of the thread from the eye is effected by pulling longitudinally on one end of the piece of thread so thatthe thread is drawn longitudinally through the eye.

The needle which is shown in Figures 5 to 9, inclusive constitutes another form or embodiment of the invention. It is adapted to be used for sewing and comprises a shank 22 and an eye 23.

The shank 22 is formed of steel or like material and has a point at one end thereof. The pointed end portion of the shank 22 is circular in cross section as shown in Figure 9 and the central portion and other end portion of the shank are oval shaped in cross section as shown in Figures 7 and 8. The purpose of having the central portion and the other end portion of the shank of oval shaped cross section is to prevent turning of the needle when it is gripped between the thumb and first finger in connection with threading thereof.

The eye 23 is formed as an integral part of the end of the shank 22 that is remote from the point, and is elongated in a direction lengthwise of the shank. It is of one-piece construction or design and comprises an inner cross member 24, an outer cross member 25 in spaced relation with the inner cross member 24, a central longitudinally extending strut-like member 26 between the central portions of the cross members and a pair of laterally spaced substantially straight side members. 27 outwards of the strut-like member 26 and between the ends of the two cross members. The strut-like member 26 is solid throughout and serves to hold the outer cross member 25 in spaced apart and connected relation with the inner cross member 24. The side members 27 embody at points immediately adjacent the inner cross member 24 narrow oblique cuts 28. The latter divide the side members 27 into long outer sections 29 and short inner sections 30 and are so angled or positioned that the long outer sections 29 have angled outwardly facing free end surfaces 31 and the short inner sections 39 have angled inwardly facing free end surfaces 32. The long outer sections 2 9 of the side members 27 are of such length that they are inherently capable of ready lateral flexing. The inner short sections 3 of the side members 27 are so short that they are inherently rigid. The long outer sections 29 are normally positioned in longitudinal alignment with the short inner sections 30. Because the short inner sections are inherently rigid or non-flexible their angled inwardly facing free end surfaces 32 coact with the angled outwardly facing free end surfaces 31 of the long outer sections 29 positively to limit outward flexing of the long outer sections past their normal positions.

When it is desired to thread the needle of Figures 5 to 9, inclusive, a piece of thread is looped around the outer side portion of either of the. two long outer sections 29 and is then pulled in the direction of the strut-like member 26. In connection with pulling of the'piece of thread the looped portion flexes inwards the long outer section about which it is looped and such section guides the looped portion of the thread into the inner end of the eye interior in the same manner as the long outer section 17 of the needle of Figures 1 to 4, inclusive. By providing the oblique cuts 28 in both of the side members of the eye the needle of Figures 5 to 9, inclusive, may be threaded from either side. The cross piece 25 has transversely extending side grooves 33 in order to accommodate the piece of thread after the piece has been threaded into the eye 23 and assumes its normal sewing position. The portions of the shank 22 that are of oval shape cross section are preferably arranged so that the end axis of the oval lies in the same plane as the members constituting the eye 23. Because of this threading of the needle is facilitated.

The invention is not to be understood as restricted to the details set forth since these may be modified within the scope of the appended claims without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Having thus described the invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. As a new article of manufacture, a sewing needle formed of material with the properties of steel and comprising an elongated shank provided with a point at one end thereof and embodying at its other end an integral symmetrical one-piece longitudinally elongated eye adapted to have a piece of thread extend through it and consisting of a pair of short spaced apart cross members, a central comparatively long longitudinally extending rigid strut-like member between the central portions of the cross members and a pair of comparatively long substantially straight side members outwards of the strut-like member, between the ends of the cross members and of equal width and thickness, said eye having formed in the side members thereof at points immediately adjacent one of the cross members straight narrow cuts that extend completely through the side members, dividing the latter into long sections in connected relation with the ends of the other cross member and short sections in connected relation with the ends of the one cross member, so formed and obliquely positioned that the long sections have angled outwardly facing flat free end surfaces and the short sections have angled inwardly facing flat free end surfaces, and are located in such close proximity to said one cross member that the mean length of the long sections is no less than three times the mean length of the short sections, each of the long sections of the side members being normally positioned in alignment with the short inner section that is associated therewith, and being of such length and so transversely proportioned that it is inherently laterally flexible and being adapted when the piece of thread is looped around its outer side portion and pulled in the direction of the strut-like member first to flex inwards and guide the looped portion of the piece of thread into the end of the eye interior that is adjacent said one cross member and then to flex outwards with a spring action to its normal position, each of the short sections of the side members teing so short and transversely proportioned that it is inherently rigid and hence is incapable of flexing outwards and permitting lateral movement past it of said looped portion of the piece of thread while in the eye interior, the oblique positions or angles of said cuts being such that the angled inwardly facing free end surfaces of the short sections so coact with the angled outwardly facing free end surfaces of the long sections as positively to limit outward flexing of said long sections past their normal positions.

2. As a new article of manufacture, a sewing needle formed of steel and comprising an elongated shank having one end thereof pointed and provided at its other end with an integral symmetrical longitudinally elongated one-piece eye adapted to have a piece of thread extend through it and consisting of a short inner cross member, a short outer cross member in spaced relation with the inner cross member, a comparatively long central longitudinally extending strut-like member between the central portions of the cross members and a pair of comparatively long laterally spaced substantially straight side members outwards of the strut-like mem ber, between the ends of said cross members and of equal Width and thickness, said eye having in the side members thereof at points immediately adjacent the inner cross member straight narrow cuts that extend completely through the side members, dividing the latter into long outer sections and short inner sections, so formed and obliquely positioned that the long outer sections have angled outwardly facing flat free end surfaces and the short inner sections have angled inwardly facing flat free end surfaces, and are located in such close proximity to said inner cross member that the mean length of the long sections is approximately four times the mean length of the short sections, each of the long outer sections of the side members being normally positioned in alignment with the short inner section that is associated therewith, and being of such length and so transversely proportioned that it is inherently laterally flexible and being adapted when the piece of thread is looped around its outer side portion and pulled in the direction of the strut-like member first to flex inwards and guide the looped portion of the piece of thread into the inner end of the eye interior and then to flex outwards with a spring action to its normal position, each of the short sections of said side members being so short and transversely proportioned that it is inherently rigid and hence is incapable of flexing outwards and permitting lateral removal past it of said looped portion of the piece of thread while in the eye interior, the oblique positions or angles of said cuts being approximately 60 with respect to said inner cross member in order that the angled inwardly facing free end surfaces of the short inner sections coact with the angled outwardly facing free end surfaces of the long outer sections positively to limit outward flexing of said long outer sections past their normal positions, the end portion of the shank that is provided with the eye being wider than it is thick, the portion of the shank that is directly inwards of said end portion being oval shaped in cross section, and the pointed end portion of the shank being circular in cross section.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

